Evaluation of spinal alignment

Abstract

The human spine is divided into three major segments: cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions. Each spinal segment is made of vertebra and discs. The cervical segment has 7, thoracic 12 and lumbar 5 segments. The sacrum has 5 segments which are usually fused together with the lumbar and sacrum often considered together. The vertebral segments contain the spinal cord, surrounding the spinal canal as bony elements to protect the spinal cord within the canal. Each segment is separated by discs that act as a cushion between each bony segment. The skull rests on the top cervical vertebra, C1 or the Atlas. The spinal nerves exit each level of the spine from the spinal cord from the cervical region all the way to the sacrum. The solid spinal cord usually ends at L1 level, with the nerves continuing within the spinal canal to the scarum.